Virucidal disinfectant

ABSTRACT

A virucidal disinfectant having broad-range activity includes an acidic phosphorus compound and/or salt thereof, an alcohol, and one or more polyalkylene glycols. The disinfectant, which may also kill bacteria and/or fungi, may be used for the hygienic disinfection of animate and inanimate surfaces. The invention also provides a disinfection method and a product containing a disinfectant.

This patent application claims priority of European patent applicationnumber 05100562.7, filed Jan. 28, 2005, the entire disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a virucidal disinfectant havingbroad-range activity, the use of said disinfectant for the hygienicdisinfection of animate and inanimate surfaces as well as for killingviruses, bacteria and fungi.

Further, the invention relates to a disinfection method and to a productcontaining a disinfectant.

In recent years, disinfectants have gained importance. Of particularimportance is the use of disinfectants in field such as hospitals,medical practices, old-age homes, emergency wards, but also in factorieswhich are not related with medical aid, such as food-producingfactories, in the pharmaceutical branch and in further branches in whichworking under clean room conditions is necessary. Particularly importantin these fields is the disinfection of hands, because the latter areoften responsible for the communication of all kinds of pathogens.

The disinfection of hands is an established method for preventing thetransmission of infections. For this purpose, alcohol-based products forrubbing are used today according to the prior art. This principle hasbeen known for about 30 years. The preparations employed are usuallybased on the active substances ethanol, propane-1-ol, propane-2-ol andmixtures of the mentioned alcohols.

With the known commercially available preparations, which have analcohol content of 60% and more, it is possible to reduce the transientgerm flora of the hands efficiently within 30 seconds.

The mentioned alcohols and their mixtures as well as many commerciallyavailable preparations are able to inactivate enveloped viruses.However, if a comprehensive antiviral effectiveness is required, thealcohols as well as the preparations known to the skilled person have anumber of drawbacks. Thus, it is known that ethanol is effective againstenveloped and non-enveloped viruses only in high concentrations. Incontrast, propane-l-ol and propane-2-ol are only selectively effective;they are ineffective against most non-enveloped viruses, e.g., againstthe highly resistant picornaviruses, which include polioviruses andhepatitis A virus.

In the past, several attempts were made for enhancing the effectivenessof alcoholic rubbing preparations against viruses. As a result, somepreparations are known for which virucidal effectiveness is stated.

U.S. published patent application No. 2004/0146479 A1 describescompositions for hand disinfection. An exemplary composition contains55% (w/v) of ethanol (70% v/v), 0.1% (w/v) of phosphoric acid, 6% (w/v)of polyethylene glycol (400), 2% (w/v) of polyethylene glycol (4000),0.50% (w/v) of propylene glycol and 0.35% (w/v) of benzyl alcohol.

The European Unexamined Patent Application EP-A2-0 556 546 describeagents which are characterized by containing at least 60% of at leastone alcohol as well as at least one Lewis acid. As Lewis acids, salts ofaluminum or zinc are mentioned, the chlorohydrates and chlorides beingparticularly pointed out. The products are supposed to haveeffectiveness against poliovirus type 1 strain Mahoney. Chlorides areknown to have corrosive properties, which is also referred to aschloride-induced pitting. The disclosure of German OffenlegungsschriftDE-A1-4205828 is to be evaluated in similar terms.

The European Unexamined Patent Application EP-A2-0 176 720 describesagents which contain at least 70% methanol and/or ethanol, from 1 to 10%glycerol and from 0.5 to 5% castor oil and are suitable for inactivatingnon-enveloped viruses. The demonstration has been effected exclusivelywith the wild type poliovirus type 1 Mahoney.

The European Unexamined Patent Application EP-A2-0 251 303 discloses avirucidal agent which contains at least 70% ethanol and a short-chainacid. The agent can additionally contain glycerol and castor oil. Theapplication properties of such products have proven non-optimum due tothe sticky skin feeling after the application.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A1-4221743 describes agents whichcontain a lower alcohol as well as the salt of a lower carboxylic acid.Products formulated on the basis of this teaching have provennon-effective against papovaviruses, even if the time of action wasextended to 10 minutes.

A commercially available preparation contains 32.251 g of propan-1-ol,20.985 g of propan-2-ol, 4.2 g of 20% chlorohexidine digluconatesolution, 1-tetradecanol, Macrogol 4000, cetearyl octanoate, patent blueV, perfumes and purified water. According to the manufacturer, thispreparation is effective against vaccinia viruses, rotaviruses,hepatitis B viruses, hepatitis C viruses and human immunodeficiencyviruses (HIV).

A preparation obtainable in the Federal Republic of Germany contains 95%ethanol as a basic active ingredient as well as denaturing agents andskin-care substances. In the list of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI),the product is rated as effective against viruses. According to themanufacturer, its required time of action is 2 minutes. The requiredtime of action against papovaviruses and adenoviruses determines theeffectiveness. Against polioviruses, the preparation is effective within60 seconds. The preparation is insufficiently effective againstparvoviruses. According to the manufacturer, the flash point of thepreparation is 0° C. The storage and shipping of such a preparation arecorrespondingly demanding.

The German Patent Specification DE-C1-4424325 and the EuropeanUnexamined Patent Application EP-A1-0 692 192 describe an alcoholicdisinfectant formulation having a content of ethanol and/or methanol ofat least 80 percent by weight, which is characterized by containingbutanone. The formulation may contain chlorohexidine or benzalkoniumchloride as remanent active ingredients. The formulation may contain analkylene glycol, namely triethylene glycol or glycerol, as well as anester of a long-chain fatty acid as care substances. The disinfectantformulation is claimed for the inactivation of non-enveloped viruses,especially polioviruses.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A1-19962353 describes a hepatitis Avirucidal agent which contains one or more alcohols and up to 0.5% of achlorine-containing or chlorine-releasing agent. The agent may furthercontain up to 10% of anti-microbial acids, such as undecylenic acid,citric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, sorbic acid, salicylic acid. Acommercially available preparation contains 90% ethanol, 0.2%chlorohexidine gluconate and further additives. This preparation isevidently based on the German Patent Specification DE-C1-4424325 and/orthe German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A1-19962353. The commerciallyavailable preparation has a low flash point, which is stated by themanufacturer to be 15° C. An effectiveness of this preparation againstpapovaviruses is not known.

The Published International Patent Application WO-A1 97/35475 disclosesa product having a flash point of above 21° C. which contains loweralcohols and synergists. As synergists, diols, especially propyleneglycol, butylene glycol and their mixtures, are employed. The productmay contain a physiologically acceptable organic acid. A commercialproduct which is based on this patent specification contains 54.1%ethanol, 10% 1-propanol, 5.9% propane-1,2-diol and 5.7% butane-1,3-diol.For short-term application, the product seems to be suitable for handdisinfection. However, when used continuously, the high content ofnon-volatile diols proves to be disturbing, because these diols remainon the hands as a residue and can cause an uncomfortable skin feeling.Especially for application for hand disinfection in surgery,preparations according to WO-A1-97/35475 have limited suitability.

The European Unexamined Patent Application EP-A1-0 848 907 claims aspray disinfectant which contains from 30 to ⁷⁰% of ethanol, an aminecomponent and a terpene hydrocarbon. Using it, preparations havingactivity against polioviruses can be formulated. However, due to theircomposition, products of this type can be employed only for thedisinfection of inanimate surfaces.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A1-10237227 describes an alcoholichand and skin disinfectant with ascorbic acid and/or its degradationproducts, which is supposed to have improved activity against poliovirustype 1 strain Mahoney and adenovirus strain adenoid 6. One of itsdegradation products is oxalic acid, which not physiologicallyacceptable.

Peracids are known to exhibit activity against bacteria and viruses, sothat it appears obvious to employ peracids also for the disinfection ofhands. In this connection, the RKI list states a preparation based ondiluted aqueous peracetic acid, which has not been rated “effectiveagainst viruses”, however.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A1-19724102 describes agents for rapiddisinfection or decontamination comprising a content of physiologicallyacceptable peracids. It is not known whether this product is alsoeffective against viruses. Irrespective thereof, it is difficult tohandle, and the stability of the ready-to-use solutions to be employedis limited.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE-A1-10106444 claims agents forvirucidal hand disinfection which are prepared from components A and B,wherein component A consists of from 50 to 80% of a liquid aliphaticalcohol or mixtures of liquid aliphatic alcohols, and component Bcomprises a 20% to 30% solution of glycerol monoperacetate diacetateand/or glycerol monoperacetate acetate and/or glycol monoperacetateacetate and urea. Components A and B must be combined in a dosing andmixing device. Components A and B are supposed to be stable, but themixture of components A and B is not storage-stable over an extendedperiod of time. In addition, the mixing of the components requires ahigher logistic expenditure, for example, in order to guard against therisk of confusion of the components. Also, the dosing and mixing deviceis to be designed to avoid the premature consumption of one of thecomponents at any rate.

Inorganic acids mostly have a limited effectiveness against viruses. Inthe Handbuch der Viruswirksamen Desinfektion (ISBN 3-540-67532-9),published by the Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, in 2002,the authors point out on page 79 that some viruses which have to passthe stomach in the course of their infection path are fairly resistantagainst acids. The authors stress the point that phosphoric acid isstill ineffective against poliovirus in a concentration as high as 3%.

In the past, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Hygiene und Mikrobiologie(DGHM) declared preparations for instrument disinfection as virucidal intheir list if an activity against the poliovirus type 1 strain Mahoneycould be detected. However, a general virucidal property cannot beconcluded from the activity against poliovirus alone. On the other hand,it is neither possible nor reasonable to intend to test the activityagainst all known viruses individually. Currently, this is not possiblefor mere methodic reasons, because no possibility of in vitro growth hasbeen found as yet for a number of viruses in spite of the advancedtechnical progress.

Therefore, when virucidal property is established, it has been foundappropriate to establish the effectiveness by means of selected criticalmodel viruses in order to conclude to a general virucidal property onthe basis of such results. This approach is supported by the Directionsof the German Federal Public Health Administration and the DeutscheVereinigung zur Bekampfung der Viruskrankheiten of 1982.

These Directions have been updated by the Comment, issued in 2004, ofthe Working Group Virucidal Property of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI)and the Specialist Panel “Virus disinfection” of the DeutscheGesellschaft zur Bekämpfung der Viruskrankheiten (DVV) and theDisinfectant Commission of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Hygiene undMikrobiologie (DGHM).

In this Comment, the testing and declaration of effectiveness ofdisinfectants against viruses is newly settled in the form of an RKIRecommendation. This RKI Recommendation has appeared in the technicaljournal Bundesgesundheitsblatt—Gesundheitsforschung—Gesundheitsschutz2004, 47, pp. 62-66. In the following text, this Recommendation isshortly referred to as “RKI Virucidal Property Recommendation”.

According to this RKI Virucidal Property Recommendation, preparationsclaiming virucidal effectiveness are tested in the Federal Republic ofGermany against the following model viruses: adenovirus type 5 (strainAdenoid 75), papovavirus [simian virus 40 (SV40), strain 777],poliovirus (polio vaccination strain type I, strain LSc-2ab), vacciniavirus (strain Elstree). A preparation is considered effective againstthe respective test virus if a reduction of the virus titer of at least4 logarithmic steps is achieved in a quantitative suspension experiment.

In the testing for virucidal property, 8 parts of product, 1 part ofvirus suspension and 1 part of load substance or water are mixed. Due tomethodic conditions, this results in an 80% concentration of the testpreparation. The test preparations are examined without a load, with aload of 0.2% bovine albumin and with a load of 10% fetal calf serum.Only a preparation which achieves a reduction of the virus titer of atleast 4 logarithmic steps under all test conditions meets the conditionsof the RKI with respect to antiviral effectiveness. In the EuropeanTesting Standard EN 14476, which describes the quantitative suspensionexperiment for virucidal property in human medicine, it is noted underitem 1 that a disinfectant or antiseptic agent which is used neat mustbe tested in 80% concentration.

If a test preparation fails to reach the required effectiveness againstthe test virus, it has become established that the manufacturerconcentrates his product by dispensing with part of the water normallycontained in his formulation, and a thus especially processedpreparation is again tested at a higher concentration. Thus, in theliterature, statements about test preparations can be found in which,although antiviral effectiveness within 1 to 2 minutes is stated, theconcentration of the test preparations is documented as being, forexample, 90%, 94% or 100%. Strictly speaking, this is a deviation fromthe standard test conditions, and such preparations are thus not reallyto be rated as virucidal in accordance with the RKI Virucidal PropertyRecommendation and the European Testing Standard EN 14476. In addition,the objective mutual comparability of the preparations is rendered moredifficult.

If the Directions of the Federal Public Health Administration and theDeutsche Vereinigung zur Bekämpfung der Viruskrankheiten of 1982 arecompared with the current RKI Virucidal Property Recommendation, itstrikes that individual test viruses have been changed for methodicreasons. Thus, the wild type poliovirus type 1, strain Mahoney, was usedformerly instead of the vaccination strain type I, strain LSc-2ab. Asimilar situation holds for the adenovirus, in which case the strainAdenoid 6 was used formerly. The changes in the viral strains yieldedinteresting results. A slightly modified product based on the activeingredients 78.2% of 96% ethanol and 10% of 2-propanol, which hadachieved effectiveness against the poliovirus type 1 strain Mahoneywithin 2 minutes, proved to be insufficiently effective against thepoliovirus vaccination strain type I, strain LSc-2ab. Therefore, it isto be doubted whether the results established in the past relating tothe effectiveness of preparations towards the poliovirus type 1 strainMahoney can be generally transferred to the poliovirus vaccinationstrain type I, strain LSc-2ab.

Another problem is seen in the practice of hand disinfection. As a rule,medical institutions have several preparations on store nowadays: oneproduct for routine disinfection and another preparation to be appliedespecially for exposure to unknown viruses. The logistic problemsresulting therefrom and the high demands on personnel training are achallenge which is not to be underestimated.

It is noted that today there is still a need for improved disinfectants,especially hand disinfectants, with virucidal effectiveness, especiallyfor those which have a broad-range activity and are suitable both forroutine use and for exposure to unknown viruses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a virucidal disinfectant havingbroad-range activity. The disinfectant includes

-   -   a) one or more acidic phosphorus compounds selected from the        group consisting of phosphoric acid, diphosphoric acid,        triphosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid of general formula        H_(n+2)P_(n)O_(3n+1), where n is an integer of from 1 to 17,        cyclotri- and cyclotetrametaphosphoric acids, polymetaphosphoric        acid, peroxomonophosphoric acid, peroxodiphosphoric acid,        hypophosphoric acid, diphosphoric(III,IV) acid, and salts of        these acids;    -   b) an alcohol component selected from the group consisting of        ethanol, propane-1-ol, propane-2-ol, and mixtures of any of        these; and    -   c) one or more polyalkylene glycols.    -   The one or more acidic phosphorus compounds constitute from 0.2        to 1.5% by weight of the disinfectant.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of killing a pathogenthat includes contacting the pathogen with the above disinfectant.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a product that includes adisinfectant as described above and means for dispensing thedisinfectant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides disinfectants having high effectivenessagainst viruses, bacteria and/or fungi, and which are typically welltolerated upon contact with human skin in continuous use.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that virucidal disinfectants whichcontain phosphorus compounds, alcoholic components and polyalkyleneglycol meet the above mentioned requirements.

Therefore, in a first general embodiment, the present invention relatesto a virucidal disinfectant having broad-range activity which contains:

a) one or more phosphorus compounds;

b) one or more alcoholic components; and

c) one or more polyalkylene glycols.

The virucidal disinfectants according to the invention contain one ormore phosphorus compounds as an essential component. Particularlysuitable phosphorus compounds which may be employed in the disinfectantsaccording to the invention include acidic phosphorus compounds and/orsalts thereof. “Acidic phosphorus compounds” within the meaning of thepresent invention are phosphorus compounds which are capable ofreleasing protons in an aqueous medium (Brønstedt acids). It isparticularly preferred to employ one or more acidic phosphorus compoundsselected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, diphosphoricacid, triphosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid (H_(n+2)P_(n)O_(3n+1),where n is an integer of from 1 to 17), cyclotri- andcyclotetrametaphosphoric acids, peroxomonophosphoric acid,peroxodiphosphoric acid, hypophosphoric acid, diphosphoric(III,IV) acidand salts of the above mentioned acids. The salts are preferably thealkali metal salts, especially the sodium and potassium salts, of theacidic phosphorus compounds mentioned.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectants according to the inventioncontain one or more acidic phosphorus compounds and/or a salt or saltsof one or more acidic phosphorus compounds.

The acidic phosphorus compounds and their salts are not subject to anyadditional limitations. However, it is advantageous if both the acidicphosphorus compound and the salts of the acidic phosphorus compounds aresoluble in the disinfectant compositions, which are preferablyaqueous-alcoholic.

Particularly preferred is the use of phosphoric acid and/or one or morealkali metal salts of phosphoric acid. The use of phosphoric acid and/orsodium dihydrogen-phosphate and/or potassium dihydrogenphosphate hasproven particularly useful. In addition, it has been surprisingly foundthat skin tolerance could be significantly increased by mixtures ofphosphoric acid with sodium dihydrogenphosphate and/or potassiumdihydrogenphosphate. This is important, in particular, if thedisinfectant is employed as a hand disinfectant.

Advantageously, one or more phosphorus compounds are employed in amountsof from 0.2 to 1.5 percent by weight, preferably from 0.2 to 1.0 percentby weight, especially from 0.2 to 0.8 percent by weight, respectivelybased on the total agent.

As a further essential component, the disinfectants according to theinvention contain one or more polyalkylene glycols.

Polyalkylene glycols (polyglycols, polyglycol ethers; INCI chemicalclass: polymeric ethers) are known polyethers which are predominantlylinear, but may also be branched in part, and which are polymers withterminal hydroxy groups. The polyalkylene glycols having highermolecular weights are polymolecular, i.e., they consist of collectionsof macromolecules having different molecular weights. The averagerelative molecular weights of the polyalkylene glycols are preferablywithin a range of from 400 to 10,000, especially from 1000 to 8000, morepreferably from 2000 to 6000, and most preferably from 3000 to 5000. Inthe different polyalkylene glycols described in the following,particular ranges may still be particularly advantageous.

Preferred according to the invention are linear or branched, especiallylinear, polyalkylene glycols of general formula HO—[R—O]_(n)—H, in whichR represents (CH₂)₂, CH₂CH(CH₃), CH₂CH(CH₂CH₃) and/or (CH₂)₄, and nrepresents values or average values of from 2 to about 200, preferablyfrom 3 to 190, more preferably from 4 to 180, still more preferably from6 to 150, especially from 10 to 120. The polyalkylene glycols can beprepared by the ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide, propyleneoxide and/or tetrahydrofuran. In particular, these are the polyethyleneglycols with R═(CH₂)₂, the polypropylene glycols with R═CH₂CH(CH₃), thepolytetrahydrofurans with R═(CH₂)₄ and the copolymers of ethylene oxide,propylene oxide and/or tetrahydrofuran.

Preferred according to the invention are polyethylene glycols (PEG)having an average relative molecular weight of from 400 to 10,000,especially from 1000 to 8000, more preferably from 2000 to 6000 and mostpreferably from 3000 to 5000. For polyethylene glycols, there aredifferent nomenclatures which may lead to confusion. In technicalcontexts, it is usual to state the average relative molecular weightafter the designation “PEG”, so that “PEG 200” characterizes apolyethylene glycol having a relative molecular weight of from about 190to about 210. According to the INCI nomenclature, the abbreviation PEGis provided with a hyphen which is directly followed by a figure whichcorresponds to the number n in the above general formula. Commerciallyavailable polyethylene glycols are, for example, PEG 200/PEG-4, PEG300/PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG 400, PEG-9, PEG-10, PEG-12, PEG 600,PEG-14, PEG-16, PEG 800/PEG-18, PEG-20, PEG 1000, PEG 1200, PEG1500/PEG-32, PEG-40, PEG 2000, PEG-55, PEG-60, PEG 3000, PEG 3350/PEG-75and PEG 4000/PEG-90, where the designations according to the twonomenclatures for the same polyethylene glycols are juxtaposed,separated by the slash (“/”) sign. The commercially availablepolyethylene glycols are obtainable, for example, under the trade namesCarbowax® (Union Carbide), Emkapol® and Renex® PEG (ICI), Lipoxol®(DEA), Polyglycol® E (Dow), Pluracol® E, Pluriol® E as well as Lutrol® E(BASF).

Polypropylene glycols (PPG) are clear and almost colorless liquids overa broad range of molecular weights from 250 (PPG-4) to 4,000 (PPG-69),and the above described INCI nomenclature is used in an analogous way todesignate them. Thus, the polypropylene glycols of the above generalformula with n values of 5 and 6 are referred to as PEG-5 and PEG-6,respectively. The low-molecular weight polypropylene glycols aremiscible with water, while those of higher molecular weight are lesssoluble in water. For example, commercially available are thepolypropylene glycols PPG-7, PPG-9, PPG-12, PPG-13, PPG-15, PPG-17,PPG-20, PPG-26, PPG-30, PPG-33, PPG-34, PPG-51 and PPG-69, as referredto in accordance with INCI. Supply sources can be seen in theInternational Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook.

The copolymers are preferably random copolymers and, in particular,block copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxides, ethylene oxide andtetrahydrofuran, propylene oxide and tetrahydrofuran, or ethylene oxide,propylene oxide and tetrahydrofuran, preferably copolymers of ethyleneand propylene oxides, more preferably block copolymers of ethylene andpropylene oxides.

Random copolymers of “a” ethylene oxide moieties and “b” propylene oxidemoieties preferred according to the invention are, for example, thefollowing copolymers referred to as PEG/PPG-a/b (molecular weight) inaccordance with the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary andHandbook, a and b being average values: PEG/PPG-18/4 copolymer (1000),PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer (1100), PEG/PPG-35/9 copolymer (2100) andPEG/PPG-23/50 copolymer (3900).

Block copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxides preferred according tothe invention are represented by the formulaHO(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)(CH(CH₃)CH₂O)_(y)—(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)H, where x and x′represent average values of from 2 to 130, and y represents averagevalues of from 15 to 67, and are designated with the internationalnon-proprietary name Poloxamer, which is also used in the InternationalCosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. Each Poloxamer ischaracterized by a three-digit number. The first two digits, whenmultiplied by 100, yield the average molecular weight of thepolypropylene glycol fraction, and the last digit, when multiplied by10, yields the polyethylene glycol fraction in % by weight. The latteris from 10 to 80% by weight, preferably not more than 50% by weight,especially not more than 40% by weight, more preferably not more than30% by weight, for example, 10%, 20% or 30% by weight. The preparationof the Poloxamers is effected in two steps, wherein at first propyleneoxide is added to propylene glycol in a controlled way, and thepolypropylene glycol block obtained is flanked by two polyethyleneglycol blocks by the subsequent addition of ethylene oxide. Particularlypreferred block copolymers include, for example, the following liquidPoloxamer types (x, y, x′; molecular weight; melting point in part):Poloxamer 101 (2, 16, 2; 1100; −32), Poloxamer 122 (5, 21, 5; 1630;−26), Poloxamer 123 (7, 21, 7; 1900; −1), Poloxamer 105 (11, 16, 11;1850; 7), Poloxamer 181 (3, 30, 3; 2000; −29), Poloxamer 124 (11, 21,11; 2200; 16), Poloxamer 182 (8, 30, 8; 2500; −4), Poloxamer 183 (10,30, 10; 2650; 10), Poloxamer 212 (8, 35, 8; 2750; −7), Poloxamer 231 (6,39, 6; 2750; −37), Poloxamer 184 (13, 30, 13; 2900; 16), Poloxamer 185(19, 30, 19; 3400), Poloxamer 282 (10, 47, 10; 3650; 7), Poloxamer 331(7, 54, 7; 3800; −23), Poloxamer 234 (22, 39, 22; 4200; 18), Poloxamer401 (6, 67, 6; 4400; 5), Poloxamer 284 (21, 47, 21; 4600) and Poloxamer402 (13, 67, 13; 5000; 20). The Poloxamers are commercially availableunder the trade names Pluronic® and Synperonic® PE, followed by a letterfrom the group of L, P and F as well as a two- or three-digit number.The last digit is identical with the last digit of the Poloxamernomenclature, and the preceding one- or two-digit numbers, whenmultiplied with 300, yield the approximate molecular weight of thepolypropylene glycol fraction, or when multiplied by 3, approximatelyyield the number formed by the first two digits of the number of thePoloxamer nomenclature, i.e., 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 respectivelycorrespond to the two-digit numbers 10, 12, 18, 21, 23, 28, 33 and 40 atthe beginning of the figure according to the Poloxamer nomenclature. Theletters distinguish between liquid (L), pasty (P) and solid (F)Poloxamers. Thus, for example, the Poloxamer 101 can be obtained asPluronic® L 31 and Synperonic® PE L 31.

Another class of suitable block copolymers of ethylene and propyleneoxides are represented by the formulaHO(CH(CH₃)CH₂O)_(y)(CH₂CH₂O)_(x)(CH₂CH(CH₃)O)_(y)H. Here, onepolyethylene glycol block is framed by two polypropylene glycol blocks,while in the Poloxamers, one polypropylene glycol block is flanked bytwo polyethylene glycol blocks. Their preparation is again effected intwo steps, wherein at first ethylene oxide is added to ethylene glycolin a controlled way, and the polyethylene glycol block obtained isflanked by two polypropylene glycol blocks by the subsequent addition ofpropylene oxide. Like the Poloxamers, these block copolymers arecommercially available under the trade name Pluronic® (BASF),respectively followed by an alphanumerical code of three digits and theletter R inserted between the second and third digits. The meanings ofthe digits is the same as in the Poloxamer nomenclature. The insertedletter R (for “reverse”) indicates the inverted structure relative tothat of the Poloxamers. Preferred representatives of this class are thefollowing Pluronic® types (molecular weight; melting point): Pluronic®10R5 (1950; 15), Pluronic® 12R3 (1800; −20), Pluronic® 17R1 (1900; −27),Pluronic® 17R2 (2150; −25) ronic® 17R4 (2650; 18), Pluronic® 25R1 (2700;-5), Pluronic® 25R2 Pluronic® 31R1 (3250; −25) and Pluronic® 31R2 (3300;9).

In a further preferred embodiment, one or more of the terminal hydroxygroups of the above mentioned alkylene glycols may additionally beetherified. In the preferred terminal etherified alkylene glycols, thehydrogen atoms of the hydroxy groups are replaced by linear or branched,saturated or unsaturated alkyl groups with from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.

The polyalkylene glycols are advantageously employed in an amount offrom 0.05 to 8% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight, morepreferably from 0.5 to 3% by weight, especially from 0.8 to 1.5% byweight, respectively based on the total agent.

The disinfectants according to the invention contain at least onealcoholic component as a further essential component. Aliphatic alcoholswith a linear or branched alkyl group which bears from 1 to 6 carbonatoms are preferably employed. Preferably, the alcohols aremonoalcohols. Particularly preferred are aliphatic alcohols with from 1to 4, especially 2 or 3, carbon atoms. Particularly strongly virucidaldisinfectants can be obtained if ethanol and/or propan-1-ol and/orpropan-2-ol, preferably mixtures of ethanol and propanol-1-ol, areemployed as alcoholic components.

It is just in the interplay with the acidic phosphorus compounds,especially phosphoric acid, that is has been surprisingly found that anexcellent skin tolerance could be achieved with the alcoholic componentsin spite of the acidic pH value. This was surprising because alcoholicproducts which tend to an acidic pH value have always been rated aspoorly skin tolerable to date.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectants according to the inventioncontain the alcoholic component in an amount of from 30 to 80% byweight, preferably from 45 to 80% by weight, especially from 60 to 75%by weight, respectively based on the total agent.

The pH value of the undiluted disinfectant is preferably within a rangeof from 3 to 7, more preferably from 3.5 to 6.5, especially from 4 to 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectant according to the inventionhas a flash point (measured according to DIN 51755) of at least 21° C.The high flash point of the disinfectant significantly facilitates itsshipping and storage.

The disinfectants according to the invention are especially suitable forthe disinfection of animate surfaces, such as skin and, in particular,hands. Therefore, it is advantageous that the disinfectants according tothe invention additionally contain skin care components. These arepreferably selected from the group consisting of glycerol,propane-1,2-diol, butane-1,3-diol, sorbitol, dexpanthenol, allantoin,bisabolol, tocopheryl acetate, dodecanol, tetradecanol, hexadecanol,octadecanol, lanolin alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, cyclomethicone,dimethicone, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, cetearylethylhexanoate, octyl stearate, octyl octanoate, ethylhexanoic acid ethylester, jojoba oil, sea buckthorn oil, wool wax, paraffin oil, vaseline,heptamethylnonane/isohexadecane, cholesterol, partial glycerides andtriglycerides.

Preferably, the disinfectants according to the invention contain from0.01 to 5% by weight, especially from 0.1 to 20% by weight, of one ormore skin care components, respectively based on the total agent.

Especially if the disinfectants according to the invention are employedin continuous use, such as when using the disinfectant as a handdisinfectant in the clinical or pharmaceutical fields, the addition ofrefatting agents has proven particularly advantageous. Refatting agentsprevent the skin which comes into contact with the disinfectants fromdrying out. Refatting agents render the skin soft and supple. Refattingagents are familiar to the skilled person. The refatting agents selectedfrom the group consisting of glycerol tri-, di- and monooleate, glycerylcaprylate, glyceryl caprate, polyglyceryl 2-caprate and long-chainlinear or branched mono- or polyvalent fatty alcohols, such asoctyldodecanol, have proven particularly useful. Similarly, a refattingeffect is attributed to the components isopropyl myristate and cetearyloctanoate.

The refatting agents are usually employed in amounts of from 0.01 to 5%by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 2% by weight, respectively based onthe total agent.

For supporting their effectiveness, the disinfectants according to theinvention may additionally contain further additive components withmicrobicidal activity. Preferably, such additive components are volatileand selected, in particular, from the group consisting of benzalkoniumchloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, mecetronium etilsulfate,octenidine, polyhexamethylene biguanide, chlorohexidine gluconate,chlorohexidine acetate, cetrimide, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexetidine,alkylthiuronium compounds, benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol,phenoxypropanols, ethylhexylglycerol, undecylenic acid, 2-biphenylol,triclosan, p-chloro-m-xylenol and thymol.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectants according to the inventioncontain one or more volatile additive components with microbicidalactivity in an amount of from 0.001 to 2% by weight, respectively basedon the total agent.

Further, the disinfectants, which are preferably in liquid form, maycontain up to 2% by weight of a solubilizer, based on the total agent.Preferably, these solubilizers are selected from the group consisting offatty alcohol alkoxylates and/or hydrogenated castor oil.

Further, the disinfectants according to the invention may contain up to2% by weight of denaturing agents, colorants and/or odor corrigents,based on the total agent. Denaturing agents are substances used torender alcohols, for example, ethanol, unsuitable for ingestion.Suitable denaturing agents include, for example, butan-2-one, denatoniumbenzoate (trade name Bitrex), diethyl phthalate. Odor corrigents aresubstances which at least partially conceal the inherent odor ofalcohols and which, upon being applied to hands or surfaces, preferablyleave a pleasant scent. In a narrower sense, odor corrigents arenatural, naturally occurring synthetic and/or artificial syntheticodorous substances or their mixtures, perfumes and/or essential oils. Ina broader sense, however, odor-neutralizing substances, such as zincricinoleate or cyclodextrins, may also be used. The choice of the abovementioned additives is within the skill of the art and can berespectively adapted to desires and requirements without problems.

In a further preferred embodiment, the disinfectants according to theinvention additionally contain an oxygen-releasing compound. It has beenfound that peroxygen compounds can be incorporated stably just indisinfectants according to the invention. In particular, suitableoxygen-releasing compounds include aliphatic peracids, such as peraceticacid or perpropionic acid and/or aromatic peracids, such as perbenzoicacid or monoperoxyphthalic acid and its salts, such as magnesiummonoperoxyphthalate. Further suitable are glycerol monoperacetatediacetate and/or glycerol monoperacetate acetate and/or glycolperacetate acetate, which can be obtained, for example, from thereaction of peracetic acid with glycerol triacetate and/or glyceroldiacetate and/or glycol diacetate. Also, monoperoxycitric acid can bereadily incorporated in the agents according to the invention. The useof hydrogen peroxide is particularly preferred.

Preferably, the disinfectants according to the invention containoxygen-releasing compounds in an amount of up to 1% by weight, based onthe total agent.

In addition, the disinfectants according to the invention may containfurther inorganic and organic acids. Preferably employed are organicacids, such as citric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid,pyroglutamic acid, gluconic acid and the correspondingglucono-δ-lactone. In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectantsaccording to the invention additionally contain one of the abovementioned acids, especially gluconic acid and/or the correspondingglucono-δ-lactone.

Depending on their field of application, the disinfectants according tothe invention may preferably be formulated in liquid to gel form.Low-viscous agents are preferably employed in spray applicators, becausethey can be readily dosed with commercially available spray heads.However, in a preferred embodiment, the agents according to theinvention are in the form of a gel. Gels have an advantage in that theyare readily dosed, for example, from liquid dispensers, and in additionhave improved storage and shipping properties. By adding commerciallyavailable thickeners or gelling agents, the disinfectants according tothe invention can be formulated as gels. Preferred are organic gellingagents of natural or synthetic origin, such as polyacrylamide orpolyvinylpyrrolidone and their derivatives. Further preferred thickenersare selected from the group consisting of agar, guar gum, alginates,xanthan gum, gum arabic, locust bean gum, linseed gums, dextrans,cellulose derivatives, e.g., methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose andcarboxymethylcellulose, starch fractions and derivatives, such asamylose, amylopectin and dextrins. Further, polyvinyl alcohol as well aspartially saponified polyvinyl acetates and their derivatives can bepreferably employed.

In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectants according to the inventionhave a viscosity of above 250, preferably above 500, more preferablyabove 1000, more preferably from 2000 to 35,000, especially from 3000 to30,000, especially from 4000 to 25,000, advantageously from 5000 to20,000, for example, from 6000 to 15,000, mPa-s (Brookfield viscometerLVT-II at 4 rpm and 20° C., spindle #5).

The disinfectants according to the invention are prepared by usualprocesses familiar to the skilled person, for example, by mixing theindividual components together in any order in a mixing device.

The disinfectants according to the invention have an excellent virucidalbroad-range activity and are in addition particularly skin-friendly. Inan advantageous embodiment, the disinfectant according to the inventionmeets the recommendation by the Robert Koch Institute on the testing anddeclaration of effectiveness of disinfectants against viruses(Bundesgesundheitsblatt—Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2004, 42,pages 62-66), and is effective within a minute against adenovirus type 5(strain Adenoid 75), papovavirus [simian virus 40 (SV40), strain 777],poliovirus (polio vaccination strain type I, strain LSc-2ab), andvaccinia virus (strain Elstree). In addition, it has been found that theagents according to the invention are effective against the bovine viraldiarrhea virus and the feline calicivirus within 15-30 seconds. Further,the disinfectants according to the invention are effective within 1minute in accordance with the testing standard EN 14476. In addition, ithas been established that the agents according to the invention not onlyhave a strong virucidal broad-range activity, but additionally havebactericidal activity. According to the testing standards EN 1040, EN12054, EN 1500 and prEN 12791, the disinfectants according to theinvention have proven to have bactericidal activity.

Also, the disinfectant according to the invention is suitable forkilling fungi. According to the testing standard EN 1275, thedisinfectants according to the invention also have fungicidal activity.

Therefore, the present invention further relates to the use of thedisinfectant according to the invention as a bactericidal and/orfungicidal agent. In addition, the present invention further relates tothe use of the disinfectant according to the invention for killingenveloped and non-enveloped viruses, such as adenovirus type 5 (strainAdenoid 75), papovavirus [simian virus 40 (SV40), strain 777],poliovirus (polio vaccination strain type I, strain LSc-2ab), andvaccinia virus (strain Elstree), especially for killing bovine viraldiarrhea virus, rotavirus (strain WA), feline calicivirus (surrogatevirus for NORO viruses), avian influenza A virus, and bovine coronavirus(surrogate virus for SARS).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the disinfectantsare used for the hygienic disinfection of animate surfaces, especiallyhuman or animal skin areas. The use of the disinfectants according tothe invention for the disinfection of animate surfaces has provenexcellent especially because the agents have a particularly good skintolerance and additionally have a strong virucidal broad-range activityas well as fungicidal and bactericidal activity. Therefore, the agentsare employed for hygienic hand disinfection, especially for handdisinfection in surgery as well as for exposure to unknown viruses. Dueto their excellent skin tolerance, the agents are suitable forcontinuous use as hand disinfectants.

Preferably, the disinfectants according to the invention are employedcommercially in hospitals, medical practices, veterinary practices, inthe agricultural field (animal keeping), in the pharmaceutical andsurgical fields. In addition, the agents are of course also suitable foruse in food hygiene, for example, in meat processing. If needed, theagent may further be employed in the private field as an agent forprophylaxis. This is reasonable, in particular, when great virusepidemics are looming, such as by NORO viruses, SARS, bird flu etc.

Just in the clinical field, which usually has a higher exposure toviruses, the use of the disinfectants according to the invention hasproven particularly suitable.

The disinfectant according to the invention is more preferably a handdisinfectant. In a further embodiment, the present invention relates tothe use of the disinfectant according to the invention for thedisinfection on inanimate surfaces, especially of door handles,bedsteads, surgical instruments, hospital equipment or householdarticles.

The disinfectants according to the invention are preferably formulatedas low-viscosity solutions. For the disinfection of larger areas orobjects, the disinfectant can be provided in a container into which theobjects to be disinfected are subsequently immersed. However, thedisinfectants may also be applied by spraying or wiping the objects andsurfaces to be disinfected. The disinfectants have proven particularlysuitable, because, in contrast to conventional disinfectants, they donot leave a greasy film on the disinfected objects treated therewith.Greasy films cause an uncomfortable skin feeling on the hands and, inextreme cases, may have the effect that a firm grip is no longerensured. When the disinfectants according to the invention are appliedto inanimate surfaces, these also have the advantage that there is noformation of a greasy film on the treated surfaces.

The disinfection method can be performed very easily. According toanother preferred embodiment of the present invention, the disinfectionmethod comprises the following steps:

-   -   a) applying the disinfectant according to the invention to a        contaminated surface; and    -   b) allowing the disinfectant to act over a period sufficient to        kill viruses, fungi and/or bacteria.

The disinfection method according to the invention can be handled easilyby the group of persons which may be concerned, for example, hospitalpersonnel. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to theinvention, the applying is effected by spraying and/or rubbing thedisinfectant onto the surface or by immersing the surface into thedisinfectant. In a further preferred embodiment, the surface is humanskin, especially hands. Just in the clinical and surgical fields, theuse of products containing the disinfectant of the invention has provenparticularly useful. Suitable products may be, for example, sprayapplicators or liquid dispensers which are attached, for example, in ahygiene room in which the disinfection is to be effected. Sprayapplicators and liquid dispensers attached in the vicinity of washingbasins are of particular importance. Thus, for example, a rawpreliminary cleaning of the skin areas from soils can be effected firstby means of usual cleaning agents, followed by a disinfection step withthe disinfectant according to the invention, for example, in which thehands are sprayed with a spray applicator, or in which the hands and/orskin areas are rubbed with the disinfectant.

In addition to spray applicators, those products in which thedisinfectant according to the invention is supported on a solid supportsoaked or treated with the disinfectant have been found preferablyuseful. Preferably, the products according to the invention areimpregnated or soaked sheet fabrics or impregnated or soaked papers. Forexample, cotton or cellulose textiles or polypropylene nonwoven fabricscan be soaked and/or impregnated with the disinfectant according to theinvention and subsequently provided in a dispensing device for cloths ortissues.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following Exampleswithout being limited thereto.

EXAMPLES

In the following examples, the results relate to tests for virucidalefficacy performed according to the RKI Virucidal PropertyRecommendation under the standard testing conditions, using as testviruses one or more of the following: adenovirus type 5 (strain Adenoid75), papovavirus [simian virus 40 (SV40), strain 777), felinecalicivirus, poliovirus (polio vaccination strain type I, strainLSc-2ab), vaccinia virus (strain Elstree), and to the poliovirus type 1,strain Mahoney. For the sake of clarity, the designations areabbreviated as polio, adeno, vaccinia, and papova.

Example 1

TABLE 1 Commercially available product formulation Formulation componentContent Antiviral effectiveness Ethanol 52.4 g insufficiently effectivePropan-1-ol 21.0 g against polio, thus Dexpanthenol 0.5 g not virucidalPEG 6 caprylic capric glycerides 1.0 g according to RKI Diisopropyladipate, allantoin, q.s. 100 g Virucidal Property bisabolol, denaturingagent, water Recommendation

In Example 1, testing was performed on feline calicivirus, adeno,papova, and polio viruses, using the formulation shown in Table 1. Theformulation was essentially ineffective against polio virus, andinsufficiently effective against papova virus (approximately 5 minutesexposure time required to achieve 4 log₁₀ reduction). Against felinecalicivirus, the following activity was found. Adenovirus (exposureOrganic Feline Calicivirus (exposure time for 4 Loading time for 4 log₁₀reduction) log₁₀ reduction) none 5 minutes 1 minute 0.2% Bovine Notachieved within 5 minutes 2 minutes Serum Albumin 10% Fetal Calf 1minute 2 minutes Serum

Example 2

TABLE 2 Comparative formulation with a short-chain organic acidFormulation component Content Antiviral effectiveness Ethanol 52.4 ginsufficiently effective against Propan-1-ol 21.0 g polio, thus notvirucidal Citric acid 0.5 g according to RKI Virucidal Polyethyleneglycol 4000 1.0 g Property Recommendation Glycerol, octyldodecanol, q.s.100 g butan-2-one, water

In Example 2, testing is performed on polio virus, using the formulationshown in Table 2. Insufficient virucidal activity is found against poliovirus.

Example 3

TABLE 3 Comparative formulation with diols Formulation component ContentAntiviral effectiveness Ethanol 52.4 g under the standard test condi-Propan-1-ol 21.0 g tions, insufficiently effective Citric acid 0.5 gagainst polio, papova and adeno Propane-1,2-diol 5.0 g within 1 minuteButane-1,3-diol 5.0 g Butan-2-one, water q.s. 100 g

In Example 3, testing is performed on the indicated viruses, using theformulation shown in Table 3. Insufficient virucidal activity is foundagainst the indicated viruses.

Example 4

TABLE 4 Comparative experiment without the use of polyalkylene glycolFormulation component Content Antiviral effectiveness Ethanol 54.1 gunder the standard test condi- Propan-1-ol 10.0 g tions, insufficientlyeffective Phosphoric acid 0.7 g against papova and adeno withinPropane-1,2-diol 5.9 g 1 minute Butane-1,3-diol 5.7 g Auxiliary agents,water q.s. 100 g

The formulation shown in Table 4 is a commercially available product,and the indicated virucidal efficacy is that which has been reported bypublished literature and internet references.

Example 5

TABLE 5 Hand disinfectant according to the invention Formulationcomponent Content Antiviral effectiveness Ethanol 52.4 g under standardtest conditions, Propan-1-ol 21.0 g the product is effective againstPhosphoric acid 0.7 g polio, adeno, vaccinia, papova Polyethylene glycol4000 1.0 g and is thus virucidal according Glycerol, octyldodecanol,q.s. 100 g to RKI Virucidal Property butan-2-one, water Recommendation

In Example 5, testing was performed on the indicated viruses using theformulation shown in Table 5. (The flash point of the formulation is 21°C.)

The hand disinfectant was examined at 20° C. in an undiluted formagainst polio, adeno, vaccinia and papova. Due to the addition of thevirus suspension and the organic loads, an 80.0% test concentrationresulted (standard mixture). The selected times of action were 0.5, 1.0and 2.0 minutes.

The hand disinfectant was able in an undiluted form to achieve a titerreduction of at least 4 log₁₀ steps after a time of action of one minutein all mixtures. In the examinations against polio, no virus could bedetected any more after a time of action of 2 minutes. The maximallymeasurable titer reductions were ≧5 log₁₀ steps.

The titer reductions or reduction factors mentioned mean an inactivationof ≧99.99% or ≧99.999% and thus sufficient antiviral effectiveness. Itis known that the Directions of the BGA and the DW consider that thereis antiviral effectiveness if a titer reduction of ≧4 log₁₀ steps can befound (inactivation ≧99.99%).

In addition, the hand disinfectant was tested as a 90.0% solutionwithout load and in the presence of BSA (BGA/DW load) and under a highload (dirty conditions) according to EN 14476:2005. After 30 seconds,reduction factors of at least 4 log₁₀ steps were found in this case too.

A formaldehyde solution, used as a control, reduced the poliovirus titerby 1.25 and 2.13 log₁₀ steps after times of action of 15 and 30 minutes,respectively. After 60 and 120 minutes, the reduction factors were ≧2.75and ≧3.13, respectively.

The formulation shown in Table 5 was also effective within 15 secondsagainst feline calicivirus (surrogate virus for NORO virus), bovineviral diarrhea virus (surrogate virus for hepatitis C virus), rotavirus(strain WA), bovine coronavirus (surrogate virus for SARS) and avianinfluenza A virus H7N1 (surrogate virus for bird flu virus H5N1).

Example 6

TABLE 6 Hand disinfectant according to the invention Formulationcomponent Content Ethanol 52.4 g Propan-1-ol 21.0 g Phosphoric acid 0.7g Sodium dihydrogenphosphate 0.2 g Polyethylene glycol 4000 1.0 gGlycerol, octyldodecanol, butan-2-one, water q.s. 100 g

In Example 6, efficacy of the formulation shown in Table 6 is evaluatedfor activity against papova and adeno virus. A titer reduction of atleast 4 log₁₀ steps is found after one minute for each virus, indicatinggood virucidal efficacy.

Example 7

TABLE 7 Disinfectant for hand disinfection according to the inventionFormulation component Content Ethanol 52.4 g Propan-1-ol 21.0 gPhosphoric acid 0.4 g Sodium dihydrogenphosphate 0.3 g Polyethyleneglycol 4000 1.0 g Glycerol, octyldodecanol, butan-2-one, water q.s. 100g

In Example 7, efficacy of the formulation shown in Table 7 is evaluatedfor efficacy against feline calicivirus, adeno, and papova virus. Atiter reduction of at least 4 log₁₀ steps is found after one minute forfeline calicivirus and adeno virus, indicating good virucidal efficacy.Exposure of papova to the formulation shows a reduction of at least 4log₁₀ steps after of 1-2 minutes.

Example 8

TABLE 8 Hand disinfectant according to the invention Formulationcomponent Content Ethanol 52.4 g Propan-1-ol 21.0 g Phosphoric acid 0.8g Polyethylene glycol 4000 1.0 g Hydrogen peroxide 0.3 g Glycerol,octyldodecanol, butan-2-one, water q.s. 100 g

In Example 8, efficacy of the formulation shown in Table 8 was evaluatedfor activity against polio virus. A titer reduction of at least 4 log₁₀steps was found after one minute, indicating good virucidal efficacy.

Comparative Examples 9a and 9b

TABLE 9 Formulations without povidone-iodine Comparative ComparativeExample 9a Example 9b Purified water q.s. 100 ml q.s. 100 g Ethanol55.23 g 55.70 g Butan-2-one — 1.00 g Propan-1-ol — 20.00 g Triclosan0.50 g 0.50 g Propylene glycol 0.50 g 0.50 g Benzyl alcohol 0.35 g 0.35g PEG 75 lanolin (50%) 0.50 g 0.50 g PEG 400 6.00 g 6.00 g PEG 4000 2.00g 2.00 g Phosphoric acid (85%) 0.12 g 0.12 g Triethanolamine 0.10 g 0.10g Potassium iodide 0.20 g <0.20 g¹¹The amount was somewhat less than 0.20 g, because the potassium iodidedid not dissolve completely.

Comparative Example 9a is similar to Example 9 of U.S. publishedapplication No. 2004/0146479 A1, differing mainly in that 9a did notcontain povidone-iodine since this material itself has virucidalproperties and thus would bias the effects to be observed. (There arealso slight differences in other minor components). Comparative Example9b was similar to 9a, differing only in solvent choice and amount ofdissolved potassium iodide.

Due to the addition of the virus suspension and the interferingsubstance (FCS), an 80.0% test concentration resulted. The times ofaction were 30, 60 and 120 seconds.

Comparative Examples 9a and 9b did not cause inactivation of thepoliovirus type 1 strain LSc-2ab at 20° C. (±1° C.) within the times ofaction tested. Thus, for example, virus titers have been establishedwhich were even above the corresponding virus controls due to measuringerrors. Even after a time of action of two minutes, no titer reductionwas achieved in Comparative Examples 9a and 9b. Therefore, ComparativeExamples 9a and 9b were not of sufficient effectiveness against polioviruses.

In an application test of several weeks, the acceptance of formulationsaccording to the invention was tested and rated with a positive result.The product achieved a good tolerability, even if applied frequently,for extended periods of action, and when gloves are worn. In addition,formulations of this invention typically have been found to have goodstorage stability under ICH conditions.

Disinfectants according to the invention may meet the conditions oftesting standard EN 14476 and may find effective use against hepatitis Avirus as well as against bovine parvoviruses strain Haden. In addition,they may be effective for hygienic hand disinfection according to EN1500 within 15 seconds as well as for hand disinfection in surgeryaccording to prEN 12791 within 1.5 minutes, and may also have fungicidalactivity according to EN 1275.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein withreference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to belimited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be madein the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claimswithout departing from the invention.

1. A virucidal disinfectant having broad-range activity, comprising: a)one or more acidic phosphorus compounds selected from the groupconsisting of phosphoric acid, diphosphoric acid, triphosphoric acid,polyphosphoric acid of general formula H_(n+2)P_(n)O_(3n+1), where n isan integer of from 1 to 17, cyclotri- and cyclotetrametaphosphoricacids, polymetaphosphoric acid, peroxomonophosphoric acid,peroxodiphosphoric acid, hypophosphoric acid, diphosphoric(III,IV) acid,and salts of these acids; b) an alcohol component selected from thegroup consisting of ethanol, propane-1-ol, propane-2-ol, and mixtures ofany of these; and c) one or more polyalkylene glycols; wherein said oneor more acidic phosphorus compounds constitute from 0.2 to 1.5% byweight of the disinfectant.
 2. The disinfectant according to claim 1,wherein the alcohol component comprises ethanol and propane-1-ol.
 3. Thedisinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the one or more acidicphosphorus compounds comprises phosphoric acid, one or one or morealkali metal salts of phosphoric acid, or a mixture of any of these. 4.The disinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the one or more acidicphosphorus compounds comprises phosphoric acid, sodiumdihydrogen-phosphate, potassium dihydrogenphosphate, or a mixture of anyof these.
 5. The disinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the one ormore acidic phosphorus compounds comprises phosphoric acid and one orboth of sodium dihydrogenphosphate and potassium dihydrogenphosphate. 6.The disinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the one or more acidicphosphorus compounds or the salts thereof constitute from 0.2 to 1.0% byweight of the disinfectant.
 7. The disinfectant according to claim 1,wherein the one or more acidic phosphorus compounds constitute from 0.2to 0.8% by weight of the disinfectant.
 8. The disinfectant according toclaim 1, wherein the polyalkylene glycol is etherified in one or more ofthe terminal hydroxy groups thereof.
 9. The disinfectant according toclaim 1, wherein the polyalkylene glycol comprises one or more of apolypropylene glycol, an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer,and a polyethylene glycol.
 10. The disinfectant according to claim 1,wherein the polyalkylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol.
 11. Thedisinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the average relativemolecular weight of the one or more polyalkylene glycols is in a rangefrom 400 to 10,000.
 12. The disinfectant according to claim 1, whereinthe average relative molecular weight of the one or more polyalkyleneglycols is in a range from 1000 to
 8000. 13. The disinfectant accordingto claim 1, wherein the average relative molecular weight of the one ormore polyalkylene glycols is in a range from 2000 to
 6000. 14. Thedisinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the alcoholic componentconstitutes from 30 to 80% by weight of the disinfectant.
 15. Thedisinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the alcoholic componentconstitutes from 45 to 80% by weight of the disinfectant.
 16. Thedisinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the alcoholic componentconstitutes from 60 to 75% by weight of the disinfectant.
 17. Thedisinfectant according to claim 1, wherein the disinfectant has a flashpoint of at least 21° C. according to DIN
 51755. 18. The disinfectantaccording to claim 1, further comprising from 0.01 to 5% by weight ofone or more skin care components selected from the group consisting ofglycerol, propane-1,2-diol, butane-1,3-diol, sorbitol, dexpanthenol,allantoin, bisabolol, tocopheryl acetate, octyldodecanol, dodecanol,tetradecanol, hexadecanol, octadecanol, lanolin alcohol, cetearylalcohol, cyclomethicone, dimethicone, isopropyl myristate, isopropylpaImitate, cetearylethyl hexanoate, octyl stearate, octyl octanoate,ethylhexanoic acid ethyl ester, jojoba oil, sea buckthorn oil, wool wax,paraffin oil, vaseline, heptamethylnonane/isohexadecane, cholesterol,partial glycerides, triglycerides, and mixtures of any of these.
 19. Thedisinfectant according to claim 18, wherein the one or more skin carecomponents constitute from 0.1 to 2% by weight of the disinfectant. 20.The disinfectant according to claim 1, further comprising from 0.001 to2% by weight of one or more non-volatile additive components withmicrobicidal activity selected from the group consisting of benzalkoniumchloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, mecetronium etilsulfate,octenidine, poly-hexamethylene biguanide, chlorohexidine gluconate,chlorohexidine acetate, cetrimide, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexetidine,alkylthiuronium compounds, benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol,phenoxypropanols, ethylhexyl-glycerol, undecylenic acid, 2-biphenylol,triclosan, p-chloro-m-xylenol, thymol, and mixtures of any of these. 21.The disinfectant according to claim 1, further comprising up to 2% byweight of a solubilizer selected from the group consisting ofhydrogenated castor oil, fatty alcohol alkoxylates, and mixtures ofthese.
 22. The disinfectant according to claim 1, further comprising upto 2% by weight of one or more denaturing agents, colorants, odorcorrigents, or a mixture of any of these.
 23. The disinfectant accordingto claim 1, further comprising an oxygen-releasing compound.
 24. Thedisinfectant according to claim 23, wherein the oxygen-releasingcompound comprises hydrogen peroxide.
 25. The disinfectant according toclaim 23, wherein the oxygen-releasing compound comprises up to 1.0% byweight of the disinfectant.
 26. The disinfectant according to claim 1,further comprising one or more refatting agents.
 27. The disinfectantaccording to claim 1, wherein the disinfectant is in the form of a gel.28. The disinfectant according to claim 1, said disinfectant meeting therecommendation by the Robert Koch Institute for the testing anddeclaration of effectiveness of disinfectants against viruses and beingeffective within a minute against adenovirus type 5 (strain Adenoid 75),papovavirus [simian virus 40 (SV40), strain 777], poliovirus (poliovaccination strain type I, strain LSc-2ab), and vaccinia virus (strainElstree).
 29. A method of killing a pathogen, the method comprisingcontacting the pathogen with a disinfectant comprising: a) one or moreacidic phosphorus compounds selected from the group consisting ofphosphoric acid, diphosphoric acid, triphosphoric acid, polyphosphoricacid of general formula H_(n+2)P_(n)O_(3n+1), where n is an integer offrom 1 to 17, cyclotri- and cyclotetrametaphosphoric acids,polymetaphosphoric acid, peroxomonophosphoric acid, peroxodiphosphoricacid, hypophosphoric acid, diphosphoric(III,IV) acid, and salts of theseacids; b) an alcohol component selected from the group consisting ofethanol, propane-1-ol, propane-2-ol, and mixtures of any of these; andc) one or more polyalkylene glycols; wherein said one or more acidicphosphorus compounds constitute from 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of thedisinfectant.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the pathogen comprisesan enveloped virus, a non-enveloped virus, or both of these.
 31. Themethod of claim 29, wherein the pathogen comprises at least one virusselected from the group consisting of adenovirus type 5 (strain Adenoid75), papovavirus [simian virus 40 (SV40), strain 777], poliovirus (poliovaccination strain type I, strain LSc-2ab), vaccinia virus (strainElstree), bovine viral diarrhea virus, rotaviruses, caliciviruses,coronaviruses, and human and avian influenza A viruses.
 32. The methodof claim 29, wherein the pathogen comprises a bacterium, a fungus, orboth of these.
 33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the methodis a method of disinfecting a surface comprising contacting the surfacewith the disinfectant.
 34. The method according to claim 33, wherein thesurface is an animate surface.
 35. The method according to claim 33,wherein the surface comprises human or animal skin.
 36. The methodaccording to claim 33, wherein the disinfectant is employed for hygienichand disinfection, for hand disinfection in surgery, or for exposure tounknown viruses.
 37. The method according to claim 33, wherein thedisinfectant is employed for hand disinfection in continuous use. 38.The method according to claim 33, wherein the surface is an inanimatesurface.
 39. The method according to claim 33, wherein the surface is adoor handle, a bedstead, a surgical instrument, an article of hospitalequipment, or a household article.
 40. The method according to claim 29,wherein the method of killing a pathogen is a method of disinfecting acontaminated surface comprising contacting the contaminated surface, fora period of time sufficient to kill a virus, fungus, or bacterium, withthe disinfectant.
 41. The method according to claim 40, wherein saidcontacting comprises spraying the disinfectant onto the surface, rubbingthe surface with the disinfectant, immersing the surface in thedisinfectant, or a combination of these.
 42. The method according toclaim 40, wherein the surface is human skin.
 43. A product comprising adisinfectant according to claim 1 and means for dispensing thedisinfectant.
 44. The product according to claim 43, wherein the productcomprises a solid support soaked or treated with the disinfectant. 45.The product according to claim 44, wherein the product comprises animpregnated or soaked sheet fabric, an impregnated or soaked nonwovenplastic fabric, impregnated or soaked paper, or a combination of these.